Folding patrol stop flag



Dec. 1, 1953 J. H. SPRENGER ET AL FOLDING PATROL STOP FLAG Filed Oct. 20, 1952 I INVENToRs,

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Patented Dec. l, 1,953

UNITED s'rATEsy PATENT OFFICE 2,660,975 FOLDING PATROL STOP FLAG John H. Sprenger anydRobert L. Jefferson,

San Antonio, Tex.

Application October 20, 1952, Serial No. 315,754

y 2 Claims. l

This invention relates to signals and has special reference to a portable roadside signal.

One important object of the invention is to provide a novel and light signal whereby directions may be given to trac passing along a road.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is foldable to occupy small space when not in use and thus make the signal readily portable.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel device of this character wherein the part of the signal is of fabric or other readily foldable material so that it may be used as a 'wrapping for the frame of such a signal.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of folding frame for supporting a foldable signal.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts, and

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the signal in fully displayed position.

Fig. 2 is a view of the signal folded in position for transportation.

Fig. 3 is a view of Fig. 2 taken from the left hand side thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed section through the upper part of the frame.

In the embodiment of the device as herein disclosed there is provided a staff I of elongated form. This staff has a lower end I I so shaped as to constitute a hand grip. The upper end I2 of the sta is reduced in thickness for purposes presently to be described.

Fixed to this upper end is a block I3, the upper end of which is flush with the top face of the staff. Attached to the upper end of this block is one leaf of a hinge I4. At I5 there is provided an arm which has its upper end attached to the remaining leaf of the spring I4, thus enabling the arm to swing into position parallel to the staff I0 or into Open position at an acute angle to the staff. It will be noted that when folded, block I3 holds the arm spaced fromthe upper part I2 of the staff. At the lower end of the block I3 is a hinge I 6, one leaf of which is xed to the block. To the other leaf of this hinge is fixed one end of a strut II and the arm I5 has a notch I8 therein wherein the free end of the strut I1 may engage. The arm I1 carries a hook I9 and this hook is movable to engage with and disengage Cil from a pin 20 carried by the strut I1. By this means, the strut may be held in the position shown in Fig. 1, or may be caused to assume the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When in the position shown in Fig. 2 this strut also acts to prevent too close approach of the arm to the staff.

In connection with this frame there is provided a sheet of foldable material 2|. This sheet may be of some form of fabric or may be of plastic and preferably the -sheet is of octagonal or other polygonal form so that it is provided with diverging edges 22 at its upper part and these edges are secured along lines 23 to the arm and staff respectively.

Rotatably mounted on a bolt 24 extending through the staff is a block 25 having an undercut end 25a. This block is arranged to lie along the staff or transversely thereof and the bolt 24 carries a wing-nut 24a to secure the block in desired position. The member I5 has a bevelled end I5a and when the frame is folded this end I5a is engaged by the undercut 25a as the block 25 is swung from position transverse the staff to the position along the staff, the nut 24a being then turned to clamp the block against movement.

When in active use, the parts vare arranged as in Fig. 1, but when it is desired to transport or store the invention, the frame, consisting of the staff, arm, and strut, is arranged in the position shown in Fig. 2 and then the sheet 2|, as indicated by dotted lines, is wrapped therearound, thus assisting in holding the frame parts together.

It is to be understood that modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the material principles thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable roadside signal, an elongated staff having a hand grip at one end, an arm diverging at an acute angle from the Opposite end of said stai, a pivotal connection between said arm and said staff, a foldable sign member having opposite edge portions secured respectively to said staff and arm, a latch member holding said arm away from said staff and releasable to permit folding Of the arm parallel to the staff, a block pivotally mounted on said staff and movable into and out of position longitudinally of the staff, said arm and block having cooperating means interlocking upon the block being in said longitudinal position, and clamping means securing said block upon the said cooperating means being interlocked. c

2. In a portable roadside signal, an elongated staff having a hand grip at its lower end, a block xed to one side of the upper end of the stail, a hinge at the upper end of said block, an yarm having one end xed to said hinge and movable between positions parallel to and divergent from said staff, said arm having a notch therein on the side confronting the staff, a hinge on the lower end of the block, a strut having one end xed to the last mentioned hinge and having its free end engageable in said notch, means to releasably secure the strut end in the notch, a polygonal oldable sign member having diverging side edge portions secured respectively to said stai and arm below said strut, a second block pivotally mounted on said staff and movable into and out of position longitudinally of the stai, said arm and second block yhaving cooperating means interlocking upon the second block being in said longitudinal position, and clamping means securing said second block upon the said cooperating means being interlocked.

JOHN H. SPRENGER.

ROBERT L. JEFFERSON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 695,663 Weirich Mar. 18, 1902 1,016,723 West Feb. 6, 1912 1,747,278 Zawyouchia Feb. 18, 1930 

